Resources for Improving Course Materials

Accessibility by Document Type or Authoring Tool

• myCourses Editor
  • Accessibility Using Brightspace (myCourses) Tools from D2L
  • Use the Brightspace (myCourses) Accessibility Checker from D2L
• Document Files
  • Microsoft Office Accessibility Center
  • Creating Accessible Documents in Microsoft Office from LinkedIn Learning (sign in with your RIT account to view)
  • Format Accessible Text Documents from Anthology Ally
  • Google Docs/Slides Accessibility from Google Support
  • Principles of PowerPoint Accessibility from Anthology Ally
  • Create accessible files with Pages, Numbers, or Keynote from Apple
  • Create assessible InDesign files to convert to PDF from Adobe
  • Create Accessible PDFs from Microsoft Office 
• Videos
  
  • Captioning Course Videos (Panopto)
  • Best Practices for Creating Accessible Video for Blind and Low-Vision Viewers from 3Play Media
  • Common Accessibility Barriers in Audio Content and Video Content from W3C
• Communication Tools
  • Inclusive & Accessible Communication in Slack
    • Another tip: Use threads to help improve readability for screen readers.
  • Tips for More Inclusive Zoom Meetings from University of Arkansas Partners for Inclusive Communities
  • Captioning and ASL Interpreting in Zoom

If the program you used to create the course document is not listed here, then request a consultation to discuss appropriate methods for your materials.

Improving Certain Accessibility Issues

• Image Descriptions
  • Tips for Alternative Text from WebAIM
  • Image Alternative Description Guidelines from the Diagram Center
  • Image Description Guidelines for Assessments from the Northwest Evaluation Association
• Color
  • Contrast Checker from WebAIM (checks a pair of colors together)
  • Color Contrast Grid from Eightshapes, LLC (checks many color combinations at once)
  • Coblis (Color Blindness Simulator) from Colblindor
  • Converting your screen temporarily to grayscale (to help identify color issues): Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android (varies by device, search the internet for your device name and the phrase "screen to grayscale")
• Readability
  • Hemmingway Editor Readability Checker from .38 Long, LLC

The CTL also facilitates training on accessibility topics. Register for training events.